Raising a one year old kid is a tough job. It requires constant patience and understanding. You have to harness all your energy in trying to do so, and it helps to pray for guidance as well. Playing with a one year old person needs creativity and imagination, things that most people tend to overlook (believe me, it’s not easy to be creative at all times). One must be armed with stories, backed with colorful yet meaningful explanation of how the world is. Yes, this is what I deal with everyday, being a full-time stay at home mom is a commitment and it’s more than a title and a job, it’s a lifestyle.

Like I said before, in one of my post “…everyone can be a child but not everyone can be a mother.” Having said that shows that I have great respect for all mothers out there. Working, working at home, full-time, part-time (if there’s even such one), stay at home moms. I believe we have greatly sacrificed something in order to become mothers. Now looking back the year (and almost a half) that has passed, I couldn’t help but evaluate myself and my life. Questions started pouring in, just like the rain Manila (and other parts of the Philippines) have endured the past days.

Have I been a good mother? What have I learned from being one? Am I becoming like my mother? Am I the mother my Mom & Mama want me to be for their granddaughter? Am I raising my child well? The questions are endless and with that I am too tired even trying to think of the answers. I tried to calm myself.

An advice once told me by my mom and my mom-in-law diverted my attention to all the questions circling my head. That I am lucky I get to watch my daughter grow and that she was lucky I have time with her. That made sense. Then my evaluation of myself and my life came to a halt when I realized & accepted the fact that I am a proud stay at home mom. I may not be bombarded with household chores & tons of errands yet (since my mom-in-law helps me & trains me to be a full pledge housewife and stay at home mom) but I have come to embrace the fact that I really am one. Whenever people ask me about what keeps me busy, I always say I take care of Gabbie (my daughter) and that brings me contentment. I do projects now and then but like I always say family comes first.

bringing G with me to work

So upon checking My Mom-Friday‘s page on Facebook, I came across a link she posted about SAHM (stay at home moms) and immediately read it. Allow me to share it with you all. Here’s her article on The Philippine Star » Unblogged. Thank you My Mom-Friday for allowing me to repost this. 😀

Best and worst part of being a SAHM

Stay-at-home mom. Work-at-home mom. Full-time mom. Domestic diva. Whatever you call us, we’re all the same potato. For this instance, let’s stick with the term stay-at-home mom, or SAHM for short.

Let me begin by saying I WAS a working mom. I’ve been there and I enjoyed it immensely. It was one of the most gratifying experiences I’ve had that helped me become who I am today. I really have high respects for working moms.

I believe that being a SAHM is a privilege and a choice. I have friends who can well afford to just “stay home and do nothing” but still chose to work. Whatever we decide to do, and to be, has its own rewards and sacrifices. A stay-at-home mom is not any better, or any less, than a working mom and vice versa. We should learn to respect each other’s choices since all mothers are, in fact, super women!

I was working full-time in advertising and PR before I had my first child. Circumstances led me to wholeheartedly decide TO BE a SAHM. It was a decision that my husband and I made, and that is very important.

It’s not easy!

It’s challenging, indulgent, exhausting, and fulfilling all at the same time. It also breeds procrastination. My time revolves around the kids’ and my husband’s needs, home management like running errands, trip to the grocery, tutoring, cooking, household bookkeeping, unending organizing, and the list goes on, plus a bit of “me” time squeezed in between. Of course, there are days when I fail to accomplish some things that needed to be done. I’m not perfect. The key is really time management and knowing my priorities.

At times, I still reminisce about my working days and how I was then, but I can never regret choosing to be a SAHM. I remember being told by our doctor that a child’s first six years is the “golden years” in which they can be molded, and the home and the environment can make the most impact in their development and overall well-being. I’m really fortunate that I was there for my children every step of the way, that’s the best part. It’s priceless.

‘You’re just at home, you’re not doing anything.’ (I hate this)

There are numerous scenarios where I get this kind of retort. I can’t blame them since aside from “taking care of the kids,” they can’t really see the small stuff that “color” our daily lives. I’m actually busier than when I was working!

At this point, I’m content with doing small projects on the side to keep me sane, and maybe when the kids are older, I can take on bigger opportunities that might come my way.

So what’s the best and worst part of being a SAHM / WAHM (work-at-home mom)?

I asked these moms to share their sentiments. Be enlightened.

C: Best part of a SAHM is personally caring for my kids; worst is the guilt for not contributing financially.

J: It’s tougher because we become the disciplinarian and not all the time the kids listen. We can become “losyang” (frumpy) so better take care of ourselves too. The good thing is the kids are more secure knowing their parent is always around.

R: Best and worst is being with the kids. Next best thing – NO dress code!

J: Best: Flexi-time (errands on non-peak hours), more active in schools, less stress, cheaper (no office wear, less eating out); Worst: Office hours are undefined; it runs into long hours and weekends, kids see you at home and tend to interrupt “office time” at the wrong time.

N: Best part: I saw every stage of development since they were babies, teens until after college. Loved every minute of it. Downside: Gave up a career, lesser income but temporary. I got it all back and more after kids graduated from college.

M: Worst: With kids 24/7, tendency to procrastinate, work overlapping with kids. Best: Flexi-time, with the kids as they grow, make healthy meals my way.

B: I’m where my son needs me.

C: Best part of being a SAHM is being able to see the milestones of my kids life and developing a close relationship with them; Worst is when we can’t have much time for ourselves due to high demand of our attention and nonstop work between kids, chores.

T: I get to supervise what my son is doing the whole day. However, too much distractions at home. It takes great discipline to be able to finish work.

K: Best thing is being able to watch my son grow, never missing a milestone or achievement. I can proudly say that whatever he knows now, he learned it first from me (academically). Worst thing: there’s a common misconception: “Andyan ka lang sa bahay, wala ka naman ginagawa; sarap ng buhay, housewife…” (You’re just there at home, not doing anything; good life, a housewife). But in reality, it’s difficult to focus on the kid, add to that the issues with managing helpers, and it’s so hard to think of what food prepare everyday!

M: Best thing about a SAHM – being able to see your kids grow up, and just be there for them. Worst thing? The trade-off is you feel like you’re stagnating at home!

C: Best: Spending time with your kids and being able to influence them.

Worst: There’s also a strong tendency to take them for granted because we spend too much time together.

P: Best: Seeing your kids grow right before your eyes. And also, it’s okay not to take a bath for days! Worst: Separation anxiety, not for the kids but more on my side since I’m a SAHM, it’s hard for me to leave the kids even under the care of my mother. “Hindi tuloy maka-lakwatsa ng madalas!” (Can’t go out more often).

C: Best about being a SAHM: More time for family. Worst: I don’t get to dress up anymore.

A: Best thing about being a SAHM is the joy of seeing your kids grow every second of the day. Worst thing is that it’s a non-paying job.

I could only tweet her (@mymomfriday on Twitter) right after I fully read her article. Everything that was written there is true. It is pure joy for me being a stay at home mom but with all the “free time” there is, ironically one can have none yet one can have too many schedules at the same time. Free time in the sense that you can only plan based on your daughter’s or family’s needs. Too many schedule means adjusting to a series of unplanned events (sudden trip to the grocery, bank with a little amount of time, very much channeling Amazing Race here).You see, SAHM are like doctors or any other professionals who are always “on call” and works 24/7 and even on vacations. Like any other choice, SAHM has it’s pros and cons as shared by the mommies asked by My Mom Friday. No matter how much we weigh the pros & cons in our lives, it really wouldn’t matter. As long as we are dedicated and passionate about what we choose, it is more than enough.

I admit there were times I wonder what it would be like if I was working. I’ve been working even before I was in college (a talent for advertisings- “raket”; most of the time referred to as a “raketera/raketeer” -wherein the work isn’t regular but pay is good). My rakets got me to send myself to college. I am obsessive-compulsive and dedicated on the things I like doing (I was doing pretty well in school), so people assumed after I graduate that I would do well in the world of media & advertising. My family, my friends even my professors thought so, even I thought so myself. I know I would’ve done well. But life has shown me the other side of the fence and that’s what I chose. My then boyfriend (now husband) proposed, we got married and after six months of trying, we got pregnant. No matter how I think about finding a regular work, I just can’t seem to do so. I am too weak to even dare try, I was becoming too motherly and too adapt to go back to that track. Now I could say I am OC and dedicated on being a mom and a wife. And if life presents me the other side of the fence I didn’t choose, then maybe someday I might go out there and look around. But for now, I’m right where I wanted to be.

So, whenever people ask me who from the Desperate Housewives do I relate to the most, I always say it’s Gabrielle Solis (coincidentally she has the same name as my daughter). I may not live luxuriously like her (waaaaay not) but I identify with her in terms of choosing family over career. Just like her, I am still in the process of being fully domesticated but that doesn’t hinder me to become the best mom I can be for my daughter. Yes, just like Gabby Solis I wear my heels while I sterilize my daughter’s bottle and paint my nails after cleaning the toilet (yes I sometimes do that just because, heehee) You see, we SAHM are indeed busy, it has become our nature to multitask ya know *winks*. So please, spare us SAHM the notion that we are not busy because believe it or not we really are, promise! 🙂

I have so much to learn and so many things to do with so little time. But I know I can do it! Armed with a good pair of shoes and a nice well-groomed and shaped nails and eyebrows, I can go by motherhood with a smile make that a smile with a wink! 😉

Gabbie now at 1 year and 5 months old. Who could resist this cutie patootie?! 😀

Now that my little one is so used to spending time with her mommy, I couldn’t imagine not being by her side. What more if she learns to say “stay mommy, stay!”. Uh-oh!

People who really know me know that I speak & understand beckimese (gay lingo). It’s something that seems and feels natural to me and gay people are close to my heart. Maybe I was one in my past life? Who knows. Anyway, I love how through gay lingo, (most of the time) thoughts and ideas are conveyed on a lighter note but with a deep subliminal meaning.So in fairness, smart talaga ang mga beckies! *cheers* (for those of you who wants to learn beckimese, I shall gather my becky friends and post a beckimese 101 guide 🙂 )

Finally, after 2 weeks I able to watch Transformers: Dark of the Moon and I was somewhat paranoid (you know I’m a Com student and given I’ve learned how a movie is made, I still get affected watching movies :|). What if “aliens” really attack our planet one day? and what if that one day is soon? like the day after tomorrow? Eeeeeps! *head spinning slowly* I cut myself after even attempting to figure out the answers. I then heard myself say “stop being a Negatron” and then I just started smiling *big grin*. So I’ve learned that a gloomy moment can really be altered to an all out laughing trip, thanks to beckimese language LOL.

The next day as I was online and doing my usual thing, when I decided to write about these thoughts in my head (this was supposed to be a Transformers 3 post and my story about aliens :p) so I researched and I stumbled upon this illustration:

Optimist Prime vs. Negatron

OW. EM. GEEna Alajar! (gets nyo?!) Perfect! It’s like Google read my mind & conspired with the universe! I love, love, love it! (in a becky spelling, ay lav et! 😉 ) Truly, I’m an Optimist Prime (kampi ako kay Optimist este Optimus Prime syempre!), I believe (beauty queen answer?) negativity won’t bring you anywhere and that it is a complete waste of energy. Life really is too short and the world is too small to be hating on other people and to be spreading on bad vibes as well. Deadmatology na lang dapat! It is the key to a negatron-free life, I thank you! *bow*

So who created this? I have learned that the creator/illustrator is someone I have worked with before. He was my director for a Telecom TV commercial back in 2007 (see it here). He is none other than Avid Liongoren, truly he is a visual artist extraordinaire. He has done numerous multi-media works that challenged the mind’s creativity. Pasok sa banga ang creative skills niya. Very much alien lang siya na tumambay dito sa planet Earth!

If you want to check out more of his creations visit his online gallery, you can also purchase the Optimist Prime & Negatron illustration for printing.

P.S.

Hi, direk! 🙂

P.P.S.

Here’s the video of the Telecom TVC I did back in 2007. Spottan nyo ko! ;p

LUST. A very powerful word. A noun, meaning an overwhelming desire. It is something that has yet to be satisfied in order for that person to finally cease to obsess about the thing that causes such an overwhelming feeling.

There are a few things I’ve been eyeing on over the past few months. I was once an impulsive shopper until I learned that by being patient, I could get what I want for a cheaper price (if it goes on sale) or if not at least give me time to contemplate if I really want it in the first place. You see, every time I see the things that I want I couldn’t help but show my adoration to them by tinkering, gushing over & if possible trying them on to actually verify if my “lusting” isn’t just temporary. So after a few months of obsessing, I am more than sure that I want to get hold of them.

I’ve been eyeing on Jeffrey Campbell’s Litas. I like how very comfortable (yes, I’ve tried a few Litas already that’s how much I like love it!) Of all the shoe style Jeffrey Campbell is known for, I particularly fell in love with Lita. Boots is forever a staple shoe and you can’t go wrong with it! I particularly like the woven Lita as well as the mustard leather. They both look simple yet really an outfitey maker! Nelly’s next in line to my Lita. *ahem, to those who want to gift this to me for my birthday this August. You must know that I’m a size 7.5 for JC shoes* haha *hint! hint! to those who love meeee!* 😉 and yes, I believe a girl (even a boy) can never have to many shoes, ’nuff said 😉

Why 13″ or 14″ inch Cambridge Satchel? Because I like big bags. I have too many things in my bag and sporting a 13″ or 14″ is just perfect! Plus, it can fit my MacBook too! heehee. Also, I am proud to say I am no longer a bag hag. I’ve stopped looking for bags ever since my sister introduced me to designer bags. Why? Because it lasts longer compared to bags that may look stylish and affordable but would eventually flake after a few use (so I’d rather buy a bag once a year and invest on a really good bag-designer or not than buy multiple less expensive ones that”ll only last a few months, at least for me 😦 ) but take note that it really depends on the quality of bags/shoes, it doesn’t have to be designer, it could be brand-less for all I care. What’s important is the material used (so it can last for years) & the style that makes it a staple bag (one that you can actually pass on to your kids) that’s what matters 😉

trying on the 13"

Ever since I’ve learned that the Chocolate Schubar is the official distributor of these pretty bags, I been frequenting their stores checking out the satchels & was even tempted to place my order for it. But, the husband & I agreed I only get to buy a bag once a year (or maybe twice naman). I am in love with anything leather. It is durable & the smell of it is just irresistible! Glad that The Cambridge Satchel bags are not that pricey compared to designer bags so that’s one good excuse to tell Mr. Go so I can persuade him in buying it. *evil laugh* 😉

Isn’t she pretty? I believe every girl should own a leather jacket. I prefer the brown/tan one rather than the black one but come to think of it, the latter is much sexier! LOL. I have yet to find the perfect leather jacket. I would’ve gotten one over the weekend since I saw one on sale from Zara but I was too lazy to look given there were a lot of people shopping plus, my shopping priority is home furnishings more than clothes. But don’t tempt me, next time I’m out I might just check it out (if it’s still on sale). *sighs* I could still smell the leather scent, too hypnotizing!

Since we are moving to a bigger place, we’re very much thrilled in fixing & decorating our unit. But since we have existing furnitures, it is harder for us to find the appropriate pieces that would go well with our new home. One of the key furnitures that I’ve been obsessing about is finding the perfect accent chair. As you can see on the pictures above, me and my husband’s preference are quite the same. We like sleek, unique, modern & contemporary pieces, so choosing for the perfect accent chair would be a task. I’ve stumbled upon About A Chair who offers unique accent chairs! I’m very much excited to shop for that perfect accent chair but first we’ve got to finish installing the tiles! Will update you guys on our condo unit’s progress. For now, the hunt for the perfect accent chair is still ongoing 😉

You all know I’m such a fan of books. I am a very proud bookworm and now that I’ll be having a bigger kitchen (we’ve even bought our oven already *screams*) I am very much excited to say that I am now loving on browsing (I’ve even tried to hoard) cookbooks! and every time I do so, I get all giddy & really imagine on how to cook each dish! (excited much?!) Not only that, I’ve been also obsessed with kitchenware, more than any household items.

Kitchenwares and storage items are now my favorite things to window shop! As much as I want to hoard everything (especially those from Japan Home and other P88/P68 stores) I can’t. As much as I want to own them all, condo living has limited space and the key to having a clutter-free house is to minimize things and even though it breaks my heart, I shall live with that. As what my shopping mantra says: “only buy what you need”, and I will happily do so. I’ve also gotten to love QUIRKS Novelties & Curiosities which offer cute purposeful products, thanks also to Inez Bernardo for featuring some items on her blog—> Yourhinez. I’m super excited to buy different kinds of storage & kitchenwares but not until we’ve moved after a few more months (relax Jackie) *pats self on the shoulder*

It’s okay to lust over material things, (for me, I think) it actually helps in making you realize how much you really want something right?! These things are really on my mind the past few months, I know they’re just earthly things and honestly wouldn’t really mind if I don’t get to have them anytime soon BUT (yes a big bad but!) I would be a lot happier if I get to have them *smiles like a good girl* Having to lust on these things also helps me to save up and not spend on anything that’s not relevant & lust-worthy. I hope I get to buy some of these things in the coming weeks, oh universe please conspire with me *crosses fingers*. For now I’ll just enjoy window shopping and online browsing and instead dedicate my energy to my family and the completion of our new home 😉

Mainly because it is my birth month! Yipeeeee! and with that said, I am gifting myself with a new & improved blog! Will be launching my new domain on August 1, 2011. Please watch out for it! I’m excited to share it with you all. Plus, a lucky reader might just win a goodie bag! 😉 Join me in the countdown! 😀

Make up is part of every girl’s essentials and I for one love them. If there’s one person I know who really loves lippies & collects make ups it’s my grade school classmate Cierre Anne Tan. As much as I want to follow her footsteps in hoarding & searching for those limited edition collections, I just can’t seem to convince myself. So I leave the collecting to her & just drool on her collections, Hi Cierre! Anyway, like I always say, I only buy what I need and don’t exhaust much effort on trying other brands I haven’t heard of (unless used on me for shoots or recommended by close friends), since I find make ups & make up tools all the same (at least that’s what I thought).

The moment when you reach your mid-20s and feel a wee bit older & wiser (I think) in making better & good decisions, which (as petty as it sounds) includes protecting & taking good care of your skin & body. That moment has arrived for me (a few years earlier) when looking good physically is a requirement for work. In my case, being careless about what I put on my face & what I use to care for it has been a habit, until I’ve realized it’s no longer an option.

After years of trying out different kinds of beauty products, I’ve come to love these 5 make up essentials (which have now become staples) that I use for that everyday natural look. You see, I often times don’t wear make up, in order for my skin to “breathe” but there are just some days that I want to look naturally good. But being all natural isn’t easy and it does reveal the sleepless nights(being all nocturnal) & haggard(ness) of my skin.

So I share with you all these budget friendly make ups that might just help you boost your confidence & give you a fresh natural look despite the sleepless nights, the stress, the haggard(ness), and pulling off an all-nighter. After all, you deserve to look good & feel good.

Well it may not be in the brands I chose (hiyangan lang yan), it still depends on what brands suit your skin best. But I swear by Shu Uemura lash curler. I used to use La Cross lash curler (around P400+ I think?) but because I have long, somehow thick lashes (which is now becoming thin 😐 ) which is hard to curl, it just couldn’t keep up with me. The rubber on the curl lash wouldn’t last 2 months on me & the hassle part is La Cross doesn’t sell the rubber alone. Knowing that girlfriends & make up artists swear by how they love their Shu Uemura lash curler, I decided to buy it (even though the stingy in me finds it really hard to spend P1,00 for a lash curler,still I gave in) and with no regrets I’ve been using it for almost 6 years now. Indeed durability has its price.

Moving on, as I’ve said in my previous post about The Body Shop Products, my loyalty belongs to their lip & cheek tint. It will forever be one of my favorites (especially if I buy them on sale!). It gives me an instant flushed cheeks & red lips. Makes me look glowing! Yun na! ;p

As for the lips I also need to use a lip balm since I have very chapped lips ( I blame my lack of interest in hydrating) and thus Carmex is my lip’s best friend and it has not failed me since. Need I say more?

Ah, and now I reveal my obsession with my eyebrows.I have a fairly sized, shaped & groomed set of brows. They’re not too thin nor thick and I like them just as they are. Although I sometimes find it hard to pull off the au natural look because my brows sometimes tend to look darker than my hair color (because at times I’m too lazy for a brow bleach) and filling it every time can be a drag. So my best bet is MAC’s brow set (P950) and yes it may appear too pricey but believe me that it can last for almost a year (assuming you use it on an average of 4-6 times/week ). It’s like a mascara for the brows, so easy to use & apply. You can control the thickness & the shade of your brows with it. It’s true that your eyebrows define the overall look of your face, a little tweak here & there can really change your overall look so please be careful (if in doubt, go to your favorite salon & have an expert pluck, shave, thread and shape them for you) . Yes, I am one of those girls who would always feel complete whenever my brows are made.

Lastly, for those blemishes & pimples that need coverage and for the uneven skin tone that I just can’t get away with, I use the ever trusty MAC Studio Fix Foundation/Face Powder (P1,750). Doubles as a foundation (when use with a wet sponge) and as a powder. Given you get the right shade of it, it can be your ticket to a flawless face! Like the brow set, depending on how much you use it, it can last months servicing you with a flawless skin with just minimal use. Some face powders offer the same coverage but MAC’s Studio Fix can really conceal the deal. It can last a whole day without touch ups (especially if you have dry to natural skin).

So here’s a quick look of me using my top 5 make up essentials.

pa-fresh lang :p

When you think about it, it pays to invest on good make ups, meaning make ups that’ll last on your face and will last for more than a few good uses. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t. I can get away with drug store make ups & home remedies (that’s another post) but I also want what’s best for my skin. These products have been tried & tested by yours truly and I swear by them on how efficient & effective they are on me, if you’re not sure don’t take my word for it. Instead, research on your own & find out what brands & products suits you best! 😉